Ex-Veco boss Bill Allen's alleged sex-for-gifts with underage girls

By GottaLaff

Bill Allen

I came across this by accident, just scrolling through sites. Why hasn't this been given more attention?

Anchorage resident Lisa Moore says she traded sex with then-Veco boss Bill Allen in 1996 for an apartment, money and jewelry. He was 59; she was 19.

She also says she introduced him to a 15-year-old girl who became his sex partner.

But the next year, an ex-boyfriend of Moore's got into legal trouble and threatened to blow the whistle on Allen's relationship with Moore and other teens, including the 15-year-old, Moore said, triggering a string of alleged cover-ups that now threaten to undermine the Alaska political corruption investigation.

Excuse me?

But long before the authorities got involved, Allen reportedly went to great lengths to keep his sexual activities secret. When Moore told Allen she expected to be called as a witness at her ex-boyfriend's trial and forced to reveal Allen's seamy and possibly criminal private life, Allen immediately sent her, her brother and her fiance on the lam to California to prevent her from being subpoenaed, Moore told an Anchorage police detective and elaborated in recent interviews with the Daily News.

That trip, characterized as a "potential obstruction of justice" when first made public in a federal court filing last month, are among the issues cited by former state House Speaker Pete Kott in his effort to throw out his conviction on corruption charges [...]

Allen has told FBI agents he never asked anyone to lie under oath or tried to hide witnesses to avoid subpoenas. [...]

Allen, after pleading guilty in 2007 to bribery and other corruption charges, was also the key witness in the trials of former state Rep. Vic Kohring and U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. [...]

Defense attorneys in the corruption cases weren't allowed to raise the issue of Allen's sexual conduct. [...]

But the new material raises questions about how far Allen would go to protect himself. If Allen schemed to prevent a witness from testifying about his sexual conduct or tried to get two witnesses to lie under oath, that could give defense attorneys new ammunition to attack his credibility.

Allen was sentenced to three years in prison for bribery.

What a catch. Between his nefarious activities and the head shot above, who could resist hooking up with a guy like Bill Allen?

There is a whole lot more here.

The fun never ends.

Sarah Palin trying to backtrack from her call for Begich to step down

By GottaLaff

A few days ago, I posted about Sarah Palin's efforts to get Mark Begich to resign after the charges against Ted Stevens were dropped. In her hamster-on-a-wheel mind, she equated Ted Stevens' legal technicality-based freedom with an invalid election, calling loudly and clearly for a super duper ultra cool special election. She did so unequivocally. Unambiguously. Unquestionably.

In an email to POLITICO, Palin spokeswoman Meg Stapleton confirmed the governor’s position. “She absolutely agrees that there should be a special election,” Stapleton wrote. “Stepping down to hold the special election would be the right thing to do.”

Well, today is a brand new day, and you know what that means: Another day, another Shooty McMouthOff pratfall:

However, yesterday in a press conference, Palin tried to backtrack:

“I didn’t call for Begich to step down, either,” Palin said. “I said I absolutely agree that Alaskans deserve a fair, untainted election for the United States senate seat. I’m not splitting hairs on how that happens. I’m saying wonderful, good. I want to see an election that is fair, that isn’t influenced unduly by some announcement that the sitting senator was facing a multi-felony count conviction. That’s what we were told. Now, come to find out, that wasn’t the case.”

However, if Palin supports a new special election, by state law, Begich “would have to step down.” That process would temporarily leave Alaska with just one active senator. Nevertheless, Palin yesterday insisted that she wasn’t “splitting hairs on how a new election should happen.”

Poor Shooty. She really should be accompanied by a stenographer who can read back her own words to her. Or maybe she could just flip on the Tee Vee Machine and watch herself. She probably just doesn't have the time, what with hiring tasteless, controversial, unqualified boors for Attorney General and all. Defending them/watching them defend themselves can be so gosh darned time-consuming. You betcha.

Ted Stevens should run against Palin for governor, Alaska Republican says

By GottaLaff

Ohhh, really now?

Now that the corruption case against former Sen. Ted Stevens has been dropped, Alaska Rep. Don Young wants Stevens to run for governor — a move that would set up a Republican primary between the veteran lawmaker and Sarah Palin, if she decides to seek a second term in 2010.

"Personally I'd like to see him run for governor, and that's my personal feeling," Young told the Alaska Public Radio Network on Thursday. "So, we'll see what happens down the line. He probably won't, but I think that would be a great way to cap off a great career as being the governor of the state of Alaska."

Wow, he really took a risk there, because, you know, the likelihood of Young running when he's (wait for it).... 87... is enormous. Gigantic. HUGE.

But it's the thought that counts.

I give Young credit. He knows how to mix things up. Here's another example: He doesn't think Mark Begich should step down.

Young dismissed those demands, calling them "a lot of noise."

"Sen. Begich, in all due respect, won the race," he said. "There is no other recourse. He has taken office, he is now the new senator."

Can someone please pass the popcorn? I'm nearly out.

Sarah Palin calls for Begich's resignation

By GottaLaff

Shooty McMouthOff is at it again. I posted earlier about the Rushpublics screaming for Mike Begich's resignation and a new election now that Ted "InterTubes" Stevens is off the hook. Guess who's hopping on the old bandwagon, or in her case, tongue-waggin':

Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) called on Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska ) Thursday to step down from his seat and run in a special election in the wake of the Justice Department’s decision to drop corruption charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). Begich narrowly defeated Stevens in 2008, a contest overshadowed by Stevens’ October conviction.

See, Shooty, Begich already won fair and square. People voted. Stevens still would have lost, Stevens still would have been tried, and this recent turn of events in no way makes Begich's victory invalid.

In an email to POLITICO, Palin spokeswoman Meg Stapleton confirmed the governor’s position. “She absolutely agrees that there should be a special election,” Stapleton wrote. “Stepping down to hold the special election would be the right thing to do.”

In the statement Palin was provided, Ruedrich said that “the only reason Mark Begich won the election in November is because a few thousand Alaskans thought that Sen. Ted Stevens was guilty of seven felonies.”

He still very well may be.

“A special election will allow Alaskans to have a real, non-biased, credible process where the most qualified person could win, without the manipulation of the Department of Justice,” he added.

Begich issued a statement Thursday insisting that he will remain in his seat, despite Republican calls for his resignation. [...]

Begich spokeswoman Julie Hasquat did not directly respond to Palin’s call for the senator’s resignation, instead pointing to Begich’s statement as a clear enough indication of his reaction.

“We’re not going to respond to her,” Hasquat said.

And that was a perfectly appropriate answer to a perfectly, and typically, inappropriate Palin declaration.

Stevens free, now Alaska GOP want Begich to resign

By GottaLaff

I don't know about you, but I knew this was coming:

[T]he Alaska Republican party today sent out a press release hailing the announcement and calling for the resignation of Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK), who defeated Stevens this past November:

The Alaska Republican Party further believes that current Senator Mark Begich should resign his position to allow for a new, special election, so Alaskans may have the chance to vote for a Senator without the improper influence of the corrupt Department of Justice.

The only reason Mark Begich won the election in November is because a few thousand Alaskans thought that Senator Ted Stevens was guilty of seven felonies. Senator Stevens has maintained his innocence and now, even the Department of Justice acknowedges it’s wrong doing.

It's official: Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens loses re-election bid

By GottaLaff

UPDATE: Anderson Cooper is reporting that a recount is "likely".

It took awhile to find it in print, but here it is:

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens has lost his bid for a seventh term. The longest-serving Republican in the history of the Senate trailed Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich by 3,724 votes after Tuesday's count. That's an insurmountable lead with only about 2,500 overseas ballots left to be counted.

Stevens will not seek presidential pardon

By GottaLaff

Oh that wacky, zany, crazy Ted Stevens, he's such a stand-up guy. Actually, more like a stand-up comedian:

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (R) said Tuesday that he will not seek a pardon from President Bush for his recent conviction on federal charges of concealing gifts and home renovations from an oil executive.

Stevens said the conviction, along with his likely expulsion from the Republican Party, is hurtful, but he won’t seek special treatment from the White House.

Republican senators held back on voting on a motion to expel Stevens but are expected to follow through on that motion later in the week. [...]

Stevens simply said "No" when asked about a Bush pardon, and bristled when a reporter asked if he expected to be expelled as a political liability to Republicans battling an image of corruption.

"That's just your words," he said. "As a matter of fact, when the indictment was announced, they said it was not a corruption case, it was not a bribery case. It was a simple matter of failing to disclose. Maybe some of the verbiage that you are using is not proper."

How about that election, Ted?

"I still think I'm going to win," he said.

Nate Silver thinks otherwise.

Begich lead grows yet again

By GottaLaff

Since Paddy posted, Begich's lead has widened an inch or two:

US SENATOR
		Total
Number of Precincts		438
Precincts Reporting		438	100.0 %
Times Counted		293995/495731	59.3 %
Total Votes		290122
Begich, Mark	DEM	137527	47.40%
Bird, Bob	AI	11933	4.11%
Gianoutsos, Ted	NA	1218	0.42%
Haase, Fredrick D.	LIB	2215	0.76%
Stevens, Ted	REP	136466	47.04%
Write-in Votes		763	0.26%

He's now up by 1061.

Ted "the felon" Stevens' Lead Shrinks to 971 Votes, With Many Yet to be Counted

By GottaLaff

UPDATE: BEGICH AHEAD BY 3. Here's a link to another site reporting the same thing.

US SENATOR
		Total
Number of Precincts		438
Precincts Reporting		438	100.0 %
Times Counted		267941/495731	54.0 %
Total Votes		264655
Begich, Mark	DEM	125019	47.24%
Bird, Bob	AI	10913	4.12%
Gianoutsos, Ted	NA	1076	0.41%
Haase, Fredrick D.	LIB	1961	0.74%
Stevens, Ted	REP	125016	47.24%
Write-in Votes		670	0.25%

H/t: Commenters and Atrios

From Nate the Great at Five Thirty Eight, who tells it straight, which is a nice trait:

The state of Alaska is now reporting that Ted Stevens has 118,602 votes to Mark Begich's 117,631, a gap of 971 ballots. This incorporates 28,519 ballots which have been counted since this morning. [...]

[T]here are still plenty of votes remaining to be counted, and Begich is making up ground at a sufficient pace that he appears more likely than not to surpass Stevens.

A significant number of additional votes will be counted before close of business today, although approximately 8 of Alaska's 40 house districts won't finalize their counting process until Friday at the earliest. The areas that will report late consist mostly of rural, Begich-friendly districts (contrary to our earlier reporting, Begich performed quite well in rural Alaska; his weaknesses were in the Anchorage Suburbs and the Mat-Su Valley).

Well, mush, already! We're getting antsy down here in the "lower 48".

VIDEO: Bill Maher's "In Memoriam: Farewell to Douchebags"

By GottaLaff

I saw this on Real Time last night and couldn't wait to put it up:

What IWRC* Palin's pal Ted Stevens said in a phone convo

By GottaLaff

IWRC* Palin supported Ted Stevens. I wonder if she supports him now. Oh, that's right. She won't commit to that until she sees if it's politically expedient:

In another call, recorded in October 2006, Stevens told Allen that his attorneys had warned him to be careful in his dealings with the Veco executive in order to avoid a charge of obstructing justice. He also worried that the call was being recorded.

"I think they are probably listening to this conversation right now for Christ's sakes," Stevens said. He added that he didn't care if they were eavesdropping because "I would tell them the same things if they were right in front of us."

Later, Stevens said investigators "can't really hurt us."

"They aren't going to shoot us," Stevens said. "It's not Iraq. Hell, the worst that can happen to us, is that we run up a bunch of legal fees . . . might pay a fine, may spend a little time in jail."

Stevens repeated time and again in that phone call that he didn't believe he had done anything illegal. "I don't think we have done anything wrong," Stevens said. "I can't think of a thing we have done is wrong."

The men spoke several time about their affection for each other. At the end of the first tape recorded call, Stevens told Allen: "You are one of the greatest friends I have ever had."

In another call, Allen said: "Ted, I love you."

Xoxoxoxox!

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

Sarah Louise Palin was director of Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service, Inc.

By GottaLaff

Did you know that Cliff Schecter is relaunching his terrific book The Real McCain this week? Well, now we have another revelation, this time about the Real Sarah Louise Palin:

Sarah Palin "began building clout in her state’s political circles in part by serving as a director of an independent political group organized by the now embattled Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens":

Palin’s name is listed on 2003 incorporation papers of the “Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service, Inc.,” a 527 group that could raise unlimited funds from corporate donors. The group was designed to serve as a political boot camp for Republican women in the state. She served as one of three directors until June 2005, when her name was replaced on state filings.

And wait! This just in:

Last October on Fox News Sunday, John McCain said, “The 527s need to be eliminated.”

Would that be a--What's that phrase again? Oh yeah-- conflict of interest?

After Stevens was indicted, Palin vocally defended him. In turn, Stevens endorsed Palin as McCain’s vice presidential pick last week, stating that he has worked with her “for over a decade.”

They say you can tell a person by the company they keep. Might one add, "and by the secrets they keep".

Cheney's link to corrupt senator Stevens exposed

By GottaLaff

Oh dear. Oh my and oh dear:

Vice President Dick Cheney has been linked to Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, who the Justice Department has accused of seven counts of falsely reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars, Newsweek reported.

In a conversation secretly recorded by the FBI on June 25, 2006, Stevens "discussed ways to get a pipeline bill through the Alaska Legislature with Bill Allen, an oil-services executive accused of providing the senator with about $250,000 in undisclosed financial benefits."

Stevens told Allen: "I'm gonna try to see if I can get some bigwigs from back here and say, 'Look … you gotta get this done'."

Only two days later, Cheney took the unusual step of writing a letter to the Alaska legislature which pushed the members to "promptly enact" a bill that would approve the pipeline.

Aw, come on, let's not be hasty. We all know the Nation of Dick is innocent. He'd never do anything underhanded. He's a fine, upstanding gentleman who always insists on complete transparency. Give him a break. There's no witness, no proof. Wild accusations, as usual. Fuggetaboutit.

Stevens revealed that he asked the vice president to send such a letter.

Never mind.

Senator Ted's in trouble again; & will Sarah Palin be on the ticket? I dunno, but Alaska

By GottaLaff

Senator Ted's world is so convoluted, it's ... well, it's not unlike a series of tubes:

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (R) failed to declare an interest-free $31,000 loan that allowed him to turn a quick profit of more than $100,000 from a Florida real estate deal, federal prosecutors alleged in court documents filed Thursday.

Meanwhile, in a less tubey part of Alaska:

Gov. Sarah Palin (R), whose name has been floated as a potential running mate for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), said she has submitted some paperwork to national Republicans, but added she thinks it is unlikely she will be tapped to be McCain's vice presidential pick.

Alaska's been busy these days.

Thank you, Senator Stevens: Alaska "leans Dem"

By GottaLaff

Via TPM:

CQ changes Alaska senate race rating from "toss-up" to "leans Dem."

Stevens Relinquishes Ranking Panel Posts

By GottaLaff

Here's the latest on Sen. Ted Stevens:

Stevens has released a statement declaring his innocence:

I have proudly served this nation and Alaska for over 50 years. My public service began when I served in World War II. It saddens me to learn that these charges have been brought against me. I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. Senator.

In accordance with Senate Republican Conference rules, I have temporarily relinquished my vice-chairmanship and ranking positions until I am absolved of these charges.

The impact of these charges on my family disturbs me greatly.

I am innocent of these charges and intend to prove that.

Good luck with that, Teddy.

Al Franken: Return Senator Ted "Indicted" Stevens donations, Normy

By GottaLaff

But Norm the Toker needs the money for weed tooth whitener his campaign! And, Sue, you better hustle off to the bank, too:

Minnesota candidate Al Franken was the first out of the block in calling on his opponent, Senator Norm Coleman, to return donations from indicted Senator Ted Stevens, followed closely by the Maine Democratic Party hitting Senator Susan Collins for accepting similar contributions. But Coleman and Collins won't be the last to be slammed for associating with the Senate's most senior Republican.

Stevens' Northern Lights PAC has doled out almost $145,000 to GOP candidates this cycle, including $10,000 checks to Republicans Elizabeth Dole, Pat Roberts and Gordon Smith, all running for re-election against credible challengers this year, as well as smaller checks to John Sununu, Roger Wicker, Mike Johanns, Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn. The PAC also handed a $5,000 check to John McCain's presidential campaign.

Scroll back through the years and Franken's campaign charges Coleman with taking a total of $25,000 from Stevens, as well as another $6,000 from executives already caught up in the same VECO Corp. scandal that ensnared the Alaska Republican.

Since 1998, Stevens' PAC has given more than $1.07 million to Republican incumbents and candidates for office, according to records kept by the Center for Responsive Politics, including to each Republican considered vulnerable this year and to dozens of House members as well.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Quel dilemma.

Watch research shops at the Democratic Senatorial and Congressional Campaign Committees swing into overdrive today as they follow the money.

Ohhh, follow away. Please. Follow. We'll be watching.

Senator Ted's Excellent Adventure: Can he be replaced?

By GottaLaff

Via Kos:

[T]he party can replace Stevens if he withdraws within 48 days of the general election. That would be sometime mid-September. Only problem for the GOP -- they've got no one clean in the state. The Palin abuse-of-power scandal looms even larger today. [...]

The 48-days date is September 17. Now looking into whether Stevens can be replaced by his party without his consent. It seems that would be hard to impossible, but much depends on what state law and GOP party bylaws say. Note that no replacement can happen before the primary since there isn't a nominee. In theory, one of Stevens' primary opponents might win, but the anti-Stevens vote is split among 2-3 candidates, and none of them are high profile.

Update V by kos: Here's the indictment (PDF). All seven counts are for false statements.

There you go... for now.

McCain expected to distance himself from Ted Stevens

By GottaLaff

Live DoJ presser: Sen. Ted Stevens allegedly accepted well over $200,000 worth of gifts, perjured himself by not declaring them, and was solicited by VECO to do things that he did, but no quid pro quo is alleged. He violated the False Statements Statute, but bribery is not charged here.
Some details here:

Stevens's indictment boosts Democratic chances of winning an Alaska Senate seat for the first time in almost three decades, if he remains a candidate. ``If Stevens is on the ballot I would expect Democrats to win the seat,'' said Nathan Gonzales of the Rothenberg Political Report.

Stevens ``knowingly and willfully engaged in a scheme to conceal'' his receipt of ``hundreds of thousands of dollars'' of gifts from Veco Corp., an oil-field engineering firm, and its chief executive officer, the indictment said.

The gifts included improvements on a home in Alaska, new vehicles, furniture and a professional Viking gas grill, according to court papers.

Stevens used ``his official position and his office on behalf of Veco,'' the indictment said. The company and Stevens discussed funding requests for international projects and partnerships, requests for grants and contracts to benefit the company, and his assistance with an effort to construct a natural gas pipeline, the court papers said.

Some initial reactions:

NBC News notes that per Senate GOP caucus rules, "if a member is indicted, he or she can no longer serve as chairman or ranking member of a committee. Stevens is ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee."

Jonathan Martin reports there's "no word yet from McCain or the campaign, but I'd be shocked if they didn't at least subtly remind voters about the clashes between the two senators over the years."

Poor J Sid. He keeps having to distance himself from his fellow Republicans.

BREAKING: Senator Ted Stevens indicted on 7 criminal counts

By GottaLaff

60 seats looking more feasible every day:

Sen. Ted Stevens from Alaska, the longest serving U.S. Republican senator ever, was indicted on seven counts related to his holding of public office, a federal law enforcement official said on Tuesday.

The U.S. Justice Department has scheduled a news conference for 1:20 p.m. to make an announcement "regarding a significant criminal matter." The official said the news conference would announce the criminal charges against Stevens that have been returned by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C.

And this is the good part:

Stevens, who has served in the U.S. Senate for 40 years, is up for re-election this year, and Democrats view his seat as one of their top pick-up opportunities.